Main Navigation

Main Content

18:00-01

Aptfire-folo

Fire officials are narrowing the possible causes of a blaze that left nearly
250 Danville residents homeless.
The community is working to help the victims--some lost everything in the
Thanksgiving night fire.
Denise Allen has more.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=My whole apartment
SUPER=01-Christopher Walker/Resident; :01
SUPER=01-Monique Totten/Resident; :12
SUPER=03-Danville; :20
SUPER=01-Chief B. G. Lewis/Danville Fire Dept.; :40
SUPER=03-Danville/Thursday; :49
SUPER=@DENISE2; 1:18
RUNS=1:42
OUT Q=News7
((
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 5:04:29
IN Q=my whole apartment
((CHRISTOPHER WALKER/RESIDENT: MY WHOLE APARTMENT COLLAPSED, FELL AND RIGHT
NOW IT'S BACK THERE LAYING ON THE GROUND. EVERYTHING GOT BURNT UP.))
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=got burnt up
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 4:02:06
IN Q=i got my beer
((MONIQUE TOTTEN/RESIDENT: I GOT MY BEER , MY CIGARETTES AND MY CHILDREN AND
MY DOGS THAT WAS ABOUT IT.))
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=that was about it

Cabin Lake Apartment residents spent the day seeing how much they could
salvage from the holiday blaze which ravaged their homes.
While Danville City officials and The Red Cross assessed the damage, and
fire investigators sifted through the ruble in search of the cause.
So far arson and faulty fire places have been ruled out.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 4:47:40
IN Q=it does make me
((CHIEF B.G. LEWIS/DANVILLE FIRE DEPT: IT DOES MAKE ME SUSPICIOUS AS FAR AS
HEATING AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND ALL TYPES OF POWER. ANYTIME THERE'S POWER
EQUIPMENT YOU ALWAYS LOOK REAL HARD AT IT.))
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=real hard at it

The fire started around eight Thanksgiving night.
Residents say it took about 15 minutes for the first fire engine to arrive,
but Chief Lewis says their response time was within the 4 to six minute range
and the 9-1-1 tapes indicate that as well.
Chief Lewis says fighting this blaze was difficult.
Flames jumped the firewall because it did not extend far enough from the
sides of the building.
And a pond on one side of the complex prevented fire fighters from attacking
the blaze from that angle.
In all, the fire forced 62 families out of their homes.
The Red Cross has provided some residents with temporary housing until
Monday.
Residents still in need of housing at that time should contact the Red Cross
again.
The Condominium Owner's Association will vote on whether the condemned units
will be rebuilt after the insurance assessors have placed a dollar amount on
the value.
Denise Allen News 7.))
Anchor=Eric
SS=hold
pinnacle board
The Red Cross is still in need of cash donations to help supply clothing and
housing for the fire victims.
Their number is (804) 792-5221.
And the American Legion Post 325 is collecting clothes from one to five on
Sunday.
That's at 135 American Legion Blvd, in Danville, Cabin Lake fire victims are
encouraged to stop by if they need clothes.

L'burg-Murder

ANCHOR=Eric
NEWSCAST=7p
WRITER=sta
TAPE#=none
GRAPHIC=Murder, Generic

Lynchburg police say they're investigating that city's fourth murder of the
year.
According to investigators the shooting occurred in the one-thousand block
of Floyd Street last night around midnight.
Police say a man was taken to Lynchburg General Hospital and later died of
gun shot wounds.
The victim's name is not being released at this time.
Officials continue to investigate the shooting but have made no arrests.

Farrakhan

ANCHOR=Eric
NEWSCAST=7p
WRITER=sta
TAPE#=NET
GRAPHIC=none

Louis Farrakhan says America needs a lesson in diplomacy, and plans to give
it when he visits Iraq.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

He made the comments yesterday while speaking to supporters at a Baptist
church in Washington, DCTERMS.
Farrakhan said an American attack against Iraq would make Muslims angrier at
the United States.
The Black Muslim leader plans to visit Iraq as part of a world tour that
includes stops in at least 12 countries.
(----------------)

Septuplets

ANCHOR=Eric
NEWSCAST=7p
WRITER=sta
TAPE#=NET
GRAPHIC=none

The McCaughey seven are breathing easier and all own their own now.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Des Moines, IA;

According to hospital officials, the last of the McCaughey septuplets was
taken off of a ventilator yesterday.
Doctors say the next step is for the babies to learn how to suck and swallow
so they can eat through their mouths.
Right now, they're all being fed through a tube in their nose.
Meanwhile, Nathan Roy McCaughey's condition has been upgraded to fair--the
same as the rest of his three sisters and brothers.
(----------------)

Saltville-RR

ANCHOR=Eric
NEWSCAST=7p
WRITER=TST
TAPE#97-70
GRAPHIC=Christmas

If Santa Claus makes it to Saltville this year, he WON'T be coming by train.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Saltville/March 20; :00

A group led by Salem businessman Bill Pinkerton began working back in March
to re-open the old rail line INTO Saltville.
Pinkerton hoped to have trains running by now.
But he had to push his timetable back until at least 19-99.
The problem involves a stretch of the line that runs across land owned by
the U-S Gypsum company.
There have been cave-ins on the property in the past.
Pinkerton says U-S Gypsum wants to make sure it won't be sued if another
cave-in damages the tracks after it closes its Saltville plant in a year or so.
Pinkerton is trying to negotiate an agreement with the company so his crew
can get back to work.
(--------0--------)

WebWatch

ANCHOR=Eric
NEWSCAST=7p
WRITER=eea
TAPE#WebWatch
GRAPHIC=Web Watch

The Internet is helping families of soldiers in the Persian Gulf have a
happier holiday.
More on that and some holiday sites in this week's WebWatch.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=There are no
SUPER=03-USS Nimitz; :05-quick
SUPER=01-Maureen Cordera/Soldier's Wife; :18
RUNS=1:15
OUT Q=WDBJ-7-dot-com
((
Intro
RUNS=:05

There are no payphones, and the mail is slow on an aircraft carrier... but
they do have e-mail... and some ships and fighter squadrons even have their own
home pages.
That means a lot to families back home...
SOT 14:27:00
IN Q=my oldest daughter
((MAUREEN CORDERE/SOLDIER'S WIFE; MY OLDEST DAUGHTER LOVES TO E-MAIL HER DAD
AND GET MESSAGES BACK FROM HIM. THEY'VE EVEN SENT PICTURES OF THE GUYS BACK AND
FORTH, WHICH THEY LOVE.))
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=which they love

Avoid the shopping center crowds by getting your gifts on-line, at places
like CD-now...
From kid's CD, to Metallica, To Garth Brooks...
CDnow has prices, that, when combined with shipping costs, make them
competitive with retail stores, without the holiday lines and traffic.
You can even pick up a little Christmas music while you're at it.

For some holiday spirit that's a bit less commercialized, visit
Christmas-dot-com...
At this site, the Elves-In-Black protect true holiday spirit...
There's an interactive coloring book for kids, and A Christmas Around the
World map... Find out what the holiday means in places like Australia and
Spain.
Unwrap these links at the Webwatch page on the WDBJ-website at
WWW-dot-WDBJ7-dot-com.))

Tree-Safety

ANCHOR=Eric
NEWSCAST=Six
WRITER=Dal
TAPE#=97-80
GRAPHIC=Christmas

Many people aren't wasting any time getting their Christmas decorations up,
now that Thanksgiving is over.
That sparkling Christmas tree may help you get into the holiday spirit, but
if it isn't set up properly, it can create a dangerous situation.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

Fire officials say the most common problem is letting the tree dry out which
makes it susceptible to fire.
Your Christmas tree should be watered everyday.
Overloading electrical sockets and allowing the lights to overheat also
creates a fire hazard.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 4:49:35
IN Q=NO REAL CANDLES
((DEPUTY CHIEF JOSH CARTER/HOLLINS VOL. FIRE DEPT.: NO REAL CANDLES ON A
CHRISTMAS TREE. DON'T RUN EXTENSION CORDS UNDER CARPETS. JUST BASICALLY USE
GOOD COMMON SENSE.))
SUPER=01-Josh Carter/Hollins Vol. Fire Dept. Deputy Chief;
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=GOOD COMMON SENSE
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Artificial trees will also burn.
So many of the same precautions apply to them as well.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 4:50:11
IN Q=pets will tend
((PETS WILL TEND TO GRAB A HOLD OF THINGS ON A CHRISTMAS TREE AND THEY WILL
FREY THE LIGHT WIRE AND IT'LL SPARK AND CATCH THE TREE ON FIRE.))
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=TREE ON FIRE
(----------------)
ANCHOR=ERIC
SS=none

Deputy Chief Carter suggests taking a little extra time to inspect your
lights and extension cords to make sure they're in good working order.

Tree-Lighting

ANCHOR=Eric
NEWSCAST=7p
WRITER=mfe
TAPE#97-78
GRAPHIC=Christmas

The town of Bedford held its annual Community Memorial Tree Lighting
Ceremony last night.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Bedford/Last Night; :

The Little Town Players led children of all ages in Christmas carols at the
Centertown Park.
The Bedford Council of Garden Clubs, decorated the park and various trees
surrounding it--adorning them in honor of friends and relatives.
A surprise visit by Mr and Mrs. Santa Claus capped off the night.
The pair arrived in style on a big, red firetruck and handed out a little
holiday cheer.
Santa said it was still a bit too warm for his sleigh.
(--------------)

On-Record

ANCHOR=Eric
NEWSCAST=7p
WRITER=afr
TAPE#=97-81
GRAPHIC=On Record

American Electric Power's latest proposal for a new powerline is hitting
some resistance.
Some communities in the New River Valley are speaking out against the plan.
Andrew Freiden has more.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=AEP representatives
SUPER=@File; :00
SUPER=01-Dan Carson/AEP Virginia President; :17
SUPER=01-William Dougherty/Powerline Opponent; :29
SUPER=@Andrew2; :57
RUNS=1:11
OUT Q=AF, news 7.

((AEP representatives say-- the line is needed, and the route through
Montgomery County is the best place for it.
But Some county residents say AEP really just wants to build the line to
sell more power to other customers.
AEP's Virginia President Dan Carson, disagrees.
SOT 10:14:23
((DAN CARSON/AEP PRESIDENT-VIRGINIA: THIS LINE IS INTENDED TO SERVE THE NEEDS
OF OUR CUSTOMERS. IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF AEP'S TERRITORY, WHICH IS THE
SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA, AND OUR WEST VIRGINIA TERRITORY. ))
RUNS=:11

SOT 10:18:15
((WILLIAM DOUGHERTY: TO ME IT MEANS, PROFIT, AND THEIR NEED, AND THEIR NEED IS
PROFIT. THEY HAVE TO MEET A DEMAND FOR THEIR STOCKHOLDERS. ))
RUNS=:07

SOT 10:15:03
((DAN CARSON: AEP HAS MADE SALES TO OTHER UTILITIES FOR MANY YEARS, AND WE DO
THAT WHEN WE HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO MAKE THOSE SALES. THAT'S DURING OFF PEAK
PERIODS, WHEN WE HAVE THE CAPACITY IDLE, AND AVAILABLE TO MAKE THOSE SALES.
))
RUNS=:16

The plans for the 765 kilovolt line have to be approved by the State
Corporation Commission-- and public hearings for that process begin in March.
To get a jump start on the public debate, and to learn how AEP defends its
plan, Tune in to ON Record, tomorrow morning at 11.
Andrew Freiden, News7.))

Sports Tease

ANCHOR=Roy
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=Roy
TAPE#Tease
GRAPHIC=NONE

And coming up, Virginia Tech and Virginia are battling in charlottesville
we'll have a live report from Steve Mason.
(----------------)
VO-NAT ENG#

And William Fleming and Heritage win today and will play for State Football
championships next Saturday afternoon.
(-------------)

S-Live

ANCHOR=Roy
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=Roy
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=UVA/Tech

Virginia Tech and Virginia are knocking heads at Scott Stadium this evening.
Double Boxes=Roy and Steve/Starlink

Steve Mason is at the big game between state Rivals to fill us in on what's
happening, Steve.
Live=Steve Full/Starlink
SUPER=@Steve1;
SUPER=06-Charlottesville;

S-Syracuse

The Hokies were pulling for Miami to beat Syracuse this afternoon at the
Orange Bowl.
But the Orangemen beat the Hurricanes 33 to 13 and will represent the Big
East in the Fiesta Bowl.

S-Fleming

ANCHOR=Roy
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=Roy
TAPE#FB972
GRAPHIC=Fleming/Potomac

William Fleming routed West Potomac this afternoon 48 to 7 to advance to
the division five state championship game against Hampton next Saturday at
Norfolk State.
(-------------)
VO NAT ENG#
SUPER=03-Arlington/Fleming vs West Potomac; :

The Colonels were fired up for the Semi final game with West Potomac.
Fleming trailed by 7 in the second quarter then Lee Suggs takes it off
tackle to score from five yard line to tie at 7 to 7.
Still in the second quarter with time running out Sherman Lea fakes the
screen and throws it down field hitting Scott Byrd on the 50 yard pass play the
Colonels led 14 to 7 at the half.
The Colonels opened the third quarter with a score as fullback J.R Word
follows his lineman into the end zone from the one yard line to make 20 to 7.
Fleming would add another score in SUPER=36-William Fleming/48/West
Potomac/8/;the third quarter Suggs gets the call again and scores from the
five yard line and the Colonels advance to the division 5 state championship
with the 48 to 7 win.
(-------------)

S-Heritage

Heritage is headed to a state football championship after beating Lee County
this afternoon 17 to 14.
(----------------)
VO-NAT ENG#
SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Heritage vs Lee County; :

A big crowd showed up this afternoon to watch the pioneers take on Lee
County.
Chris Booker gets Heritage on the board first when he cuts outside and
scores from 10 yards out to make it 7 to nothing Heritage.
The Generals come right back quarterback Gary Buchanan fakes the pitch and
scores from 20 yards out to tie the game at 7 to 7 in the second quarter.
With the score tied 14 to 14 late in the fourth quarter Buchanan fumbles
the snap and the pioneers recover at the 50 yard line with less than a minute
remaining.
5 plays later Hakon Mattson kicks this 40 yard field goal with three
SUPER=36-Heritage/17/Lee Co./14/;seconds left on the clock and the pioneers
advance to the division 4 state championship with the 17 to 14 win.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=First audio
((HAKON MATTSON/KICKS WINNING FIELD GOAL: ))
((PEM APPERSON/HERITAGE HEAD COACH: ))
SUPER=01-Hakon Mattson/Kicks Winning Field Goal; :00
SUPER=01-Pem Apperson/Heritage Head Coach; :09
RUNS=:17
OUT Q=....FOR NOW."
(-------------)

S-Bath

Appalachia advances to the Group A division one state championship beating
Bath County this afternoon 42 to nothing.
(----------------)
VO-NAT ENG#
SUPER=03-Low Moor/Bath vs Appalachia; :

Coach Steve Isaacs sets out to fire up his Region C champions as the
Chargers take on the Bulldogs.
But it would be all dogs in Low Moor today Travis Turner hands off to Josh
Fleenor who breaks it up the middle for seven yards to the Bath County 17 yard
line.
Two plays later Turner takes it in from the two yard line and the Bulldogs
led 8 to nothing after the two point conversion.
Appalachia would score one more time in the first half when Travis Clark
takes the handoff and takes off on this 74 yard touchdown run to make it 28 to
nothing Bulldogs at the half.
Then leading 38 to nothing the bulldogs would score the last touchdown
SUPER=36-Appalachia/42/Bath Co./0/;of the game when Turner drops back and
hits Jamey Jessey in the front of the end zone for the 42 to nothing win.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="Good bunch
((TOM TURNER/APPALACHIA HEAD COACH: ))
((STEVE ISAACS/BATH COUNTY HEAD COACH: ))
SUPER=01-Tom Turner/Appalachia Head Coach; :00
SUPER=01-Steve Isaacs/Bath County Head Coach; :10
RUNS=:23
OUT Q=........YOU COULD BEAT US."
(-------------)

In Bullit Park, Powell Valley hosting Radford, The Bobcats ready to play.
Matt McCoy Takes the handoff and he scoots 35 yards to the Bobcats one foot
line.
Quarterback Jake Stepp takes care of the rest scoring from the one to make
it 7 to nothing Vikings.
The Vikings are driving again McCoy with the ball and it looks like a fumble
but no says the referee.
It didn't matter because the Vikings SUPER=36-Powell
Valley/28/Radford/10/;defense takes over holding the Bobcats to 10 points in
the 28 to 10 win.
(-------------)

S-Forest

ANCHOR=Roy
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=Roy
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=Forest/Gate City

And just a few miles away Jefferson Forest was at Gate City for the
Division three state Semi final game.
And Gate City boots a field goal in the closing seconds for the 17 to 14
win to advance to the state championship game next Saturday.

S-Express

ANCHOR=Roy
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=Roy
TAPE#ICE-98
GRAPHIC=Express Logo

The Roanoke Express beat Hampton on the road last night 2 to 1 in a
shootout.
The Express returns to the ice tonight at the Roundhouse for a key game
against the Johnstown Chiefs.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="We Have a...
((FRANK ANZALONE/EXPRESS HEAD COACH: ))
SUPER=01-Frank Anzalone/Express Head Coach; :
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=......GET WINS."
(-------------)
ANCHOR=Roy
SS=Hold logo

Face off tonight at the Roundhouse is 7-thirty-five.
Wx-Tape
SUPER=305-65/51/73/1991/15/1955;
SUPER=306-59/49/69/E-7mph/29.94s/7:14am/5:03pm;